England Sweat on Marc Guehi’s Fitness Ahead of Serbia Test

What Happened with the Crystal Palace Star?

England’s preparations for their next World Cup qualifier hit a slight snag this week, with defender Marc Guehi emerging as a fitness concern. The Crystal Palace centre-back, who has quietly become one of Thomas Tuchel’s trusted options at the heart of defence, came off after 76 minutes in Saturday’s routine victory over Andorra. Reports suggest that he has been nursing a groin issue since then, leaving his availability for Tuesday’s trip to Belgrade to face Serbia in doubt.

According to the BBC, the injury is thought to be minor. Encouragingly, Guehi was present and active during England’s full training session at St. George’s Park on Monday morning, working under Tuchel’s sharp eye alongside the rest of the 24-man squad. Still, with a long season ahead for both club and country, the England staff are reluctant to take unnecessary risks.

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The Bigger Picture: Why Guehi Matters

It would be easy to dismiss a potential absence against Serbia as manageable. After all, England have maintained a perfect record so far in qualifying, with Tuchel’s men yet to drop a point. But the reality is that Guehi’s importance to this squad has quietly grown.

In the Andorra game, he was paired with Dan Burn of Newcastle at centre-back, and the partnership worked smoothly. The Three Lions never looked troubled defensively, with Andorra barely managing to muster a shot on target. Yet England’s dominance in possession did not translate into fluency up front. Declan Rice’s goal proved the difference, but there were long stretches when Tuchel’s team struggled to break down a stubborn, deep-lying Andorran defence.

Against Serbia, the challenge will be different. England can expect to see far less of the ball, especially in Belgrade’s hostile atmosphere. Serbia, led by the likes of Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović, will test the defence in a way Andorra simply couldn’t. In that context, Guehi’s presence becomes far more significant.

Did You Know? Tuchel Wants England to Go Back to Basics

Since taking charge, Tuchel has been open about his tactical ambitions with England. He has spoken of stripping things back to basics: more compact organisation, greater reliance on set pieces, and a more direct approach when necessary.

This may not sound glamorous, especially compared to the fluid attacking football fans crave, but Tuchel insists it is what’s required if England are to finally lift a World Cup next year. The German coach has reminded both players and fans that international football often comes down to moments rather than sustained dominance. In that sense, having solid defenders like Guehi who can execute a disciplined game plan is invaluable.

Marc Guehi’s Rise with England

It wasn’t long ago that Guehi was seen primarily as a prospect for the future. His consistent performances for Crystal Palace underlined his maturity, but few imagined he would become a cornerstone for England quite this quickly.

Tuchel, however, seems to value his calmness on the ball and his composure under pressure. Unlike some defenders who are prone to rash challenges, Guehi rarely overcommits. He reads the game well, positions himself intelligently, and can step into midfield with the ball when required.

In a squad that boasts plenty of attacking flair, Tuchel clearly sees the 24-year-old as a key stabiliser — the type of defender who makes his partner better. Whether paired with Burn, John Stones, or even a more adventurous option like Levi Colwill, Guehi adapts seamlessly.

Serbia: A Step Up from Andorra

The Serbia test looms as a very different proposition from Saturday’s routine win. Whereas Andorra’s resistance was defensive and reactive, Serbia will actively look to hurt England. Their physical forwards will seek to exploit any weakness, particularly from set plays and aerial duels.

If Guehi is ruled out, Tuchel will face a selection headache. Does he stick with Burn and perhaps pair him with Colwill for balance? Or does he turn to someone like Marc Guéhi’s Palace teammate, Chris Richards, if he wants continuity in understanding? The decision could shape how England cope under pressure in Belgrade.

Tuchel’s Balancing Act

For Tuchel, the dilemma goes beyond this single match. He knows England are expected to qualify comfortably, and losing Guehi for one game may not be catastrophic. But pushing a player through an injury in September, with an entire season and a World Cup looming, could be reckless.

That’s why Monday’s full training session was important. It allowed Tuchel and his medical team to assess Guehi’s sharpness, not just whether he could jog through drills. By Tuesday afternoon, a decision will be made — one balancing the short-term need to beat Serbia with the long-term objective of keeping his defensive leader healthy.

England’s Attack Under the Microscope

While much of the focus has been on Guehi’s fitness, it’s worth noting that England’s bigger issue against Andorra was in attack. For all their possession, Tuchel’s side created precious little. Harry Kane was marked tightly, wide players struggled to deliver telling crosses, and the midfield often recycled the ball without purpose.

Declan Rice’s goal — well-taken though it was — masked a performance that left questions unanswered. Can this England side create chances consistently against top opposition? Or will they remain reliant on moments of individual brilliance and set pieces?

Tuchel himself acknowledged after the Andorra game that “we must be more ruthless in the final third.” That responsibility will fall heavily on the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Marcus Rashford, who must provide Kane with better service.

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What Next for England and Guehi?

As things stand, the decision on Guehi will likely come down to the final hours before kickoff in Belgrade. England’s medical team will run last-minute assessments to judge whether the groin issue poses any real risk.

If Guehi is passed fit, he will almost certainly start alongside Burn, with Tuchel valuing continuity in central defence. If not, England’s backline could be reshuffled — potentially with Colwill handed a start in one of the most intimidating away fixtures in European qualifying.

Regardless of Guehi’s status, Tuchel will be urging his side to show greater sharpness in attack. Serbia will not allow them the luxury of slow build-up, and England will need to match physicality with composure if they are to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Conclusion: A Test of Depth and Character

England’s perfect start to World Cup qualifying faces a real test in Serbia, not just because of the opponent but also due to the uncertainty around Guehi’s fitness. For Tuchel, it’s a chance to prove that this squad can adapt and win even when not at full strength.

The Crystal Palace star’s groin issue may yet prove to be nothing more than a minor scare. But the fact that his potential absence has become headline news says everything about how important he has become for both club and country.

Whether he steps out in Belgrade or not, Marc Guehi’s rise as one of England’s defensive leaders is already undeniable. And for Tuchel, making the right call on his availability could be the first big decision that shapes England’s road to the World Cup.